Creation, Destruction and the Endless Cycle

Nothing can be born unless something else dies first.  A new way of life can't born without the end of the old. A parent is born from the end of a childless life.  A building is born when the old one is torn down.  A spouse is born from the end of being single.  New plant life comes from the ash and decay of dead plants that lived before. All creation comes from destruction, and this cycle happens over and over again.  That is simply part of life.

Why is this on my mind?  This evening I burned the back pasture first under the watchful gaze of the setting sun and then the glory of the rising full moon. The dead grasses burned quickly leaving behind the new green growth with not even a singe to mar it. Those of us who live close to the Earth understand the need for intentional burns.  Destroying the old makes the ground more fertile for the growing new plants as well as greatly lessens the risk of wildfire by eliminating the quick-burning tinder. Intentional burns are simply a necessary part of land stewardship. 

Over the years, I have lived in the woods, small towns, a city of over three million people and now in the ridge lands.  I have discovered that people who live in cities or simply don't think about the land generally think I'm nuts if I mention burning the property.  Too many people today have become so divorced from nature that they don't comprehend what it needed to best care for it or, even sadder, they just don't care. The town I live beside is one of those that is ripping up trees and bulldozing through land as quickly as possible.  It breaks my heart every time I see this.  The destroyed trees aren't even allowed to be sold or given for firewood.  They are chopped down and burned acres at a time.

Returning here to my hometown and witnessing this destructive and cavalier behavior towards the land was one of the most difficult parts about moving back. This treatment towards that which sustains us has only made me more determined to help people find some sort of connection to their place and learn to care for it. I have now become the person trying to convince others that we need to plant trees and native flora. Usually, I am ignored, but just enough people hear me to make my continued efforts worth it.

I have learned over the years that the understanding of this creation - destruction - creation cycle tends to be tied to one's religious views.  Not specific religion, but the view.  I'm not worried about what faith you follow. Any of them can be tied to living close to the Earth.  I simply ask that you look at your faith from the perspective of caring for all that was created.  No matter what God or Goddess you follow, they created all that is around us. Perhaps you believe in none. If anything, that gives even more cause to live close to the natural world. It was all here before us.  Yes, it is here to help us, but that does not mean we can be careless stewards.  After all, we have to have fertile land to grow our crops, clean water for our bodies, and unpolluted air to breathe.  Destroying our world only harms ourselves. Then we are right back in that cycle of destruction and creation.  Do we really want to be that which is destroyed to allow the land to live?  Of course not!

As we go into spring, let us all take a closer look at our world around us.  Grow something, even if just in a pot.  Put out a bird feeder and watch to see who all shows up to eat.  Spend some time in a park.  Do anything to get familiar with the land around you.  Our world cannot survive if we only take.  We must also give back. To do that responsibly, we need to learn about our home.  I'm not saying you have to start with a major undertaking.  Even a small step is still a step forward.  Imagine if everyone took small steps what a difference it would make!

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Following the Deer Trods - Working with Elen of the Ways

Working with Elen of the Ways is not an easy journey.  It is for those who wish to look deeper into the world around them and those who are willing to walk a path with few others. It is a path of the awenydd.  As I am always willing to learn more about the old ways of living close to the earth and honoring the spirit of nature, so I was excited to get a review copy of the Shaman Pathways title Following the Deer Trods. 

Although there is a very short bit early on that shows a strong dislike to Christianity, this book is incredibly valuable.  How often do we pass the blame for our mistakes on to someone else? It happens, even if we try not to do it.  It is simply a part of our culture. By not accepting our mistakes we are actually doing ourselves a disservice.  How can we possibly learn if we don't make mistakes? This is simply the first of the lessons explored in this book. Not quite a quarter of the way into the book and already we are given incredible exercises.  How often have you tried to really and truly listen? I mean listening in a way that removes our own preconceptions and leaves our minds truly open and accepting... Here is just another example of the value I discovered in this book.

This truly is a book about working and growing close to the earth. A seemingly single yet profound part of this is a more naturalistic view of the elements. We are all familiar with the standard earth, air, fire and water.  Yet how often do we think of them in terms of water going through the full cycle, or earth as the molecules to help growth emerging from the decay of that which has died?  Most of us don't very often, if at all.

Normally when I read one of these short books from the different Moon Books series I think of it as a lovely introduction or a handy book for reference.  This entry goes far beyond that expectation.  Here is a book that is short, yet far from a quick read.  It is worthy of going back to read over and over again, both for the incredible exercises and because as you progress along your own path, whatever that may be, you will be able to gain even more from the insights within.  Whether you work closely with Elen or just want her help to grow a deeper, more naturalistic practice, you will find great value in this book.  Highly recommended.

http://www.moon-books.net/books/shaman-pathways-following-deer-trods